Despite the clear charge for Christians to preach the Gospel, there will be times in which man may find it hard to preach. Although opportunities will arise to share the truth, often those opportunities are not taken advantage of. Missed opportunities and opened doors that were never entered can be an avenue of discouragement for the strongest of Christians.
It is important to treat every situation as though it may be your last opportunity to share the truth. However, what happens if you fail to share the truth of the Gospel? What happens if you had full intentions of sharing the Good News with someone, but your spirit felt crushed and the words were hard to find?
Sometimes, the Christian’s desire simply does not line up with reality. Even the great Apostle Paul was not a stranger to backing down from sharing the Gospel. He was not ashamed of the Gospel; this we can know. It was his favorite message. Nevertheless, there was something else that it made it hard for Paul to preach.
To get a glimpse of this man, we must look into 2 Corinthians 2:12-13.
Paul desired to preach the Gospel
At the outset, Paul makes it clear that he desired to preach the Gospel. Scripture says, “…when I came to Troas to preach the gospel…” (2 Cor. 2:12). Paul tells his readers that he had made a trip to Troas to proclaim the Gospel. Troas was a coastal city along the Aegean Sea. It was almost directly north of Ephesus in what was then known as Asia. Along one of his journeys, Paul had full intent of visiting this coastal city to share the truth of the Gospel with these people.
Paul knew that it was the Gospel that they needed to hear. These people did not need to hear that they were doing well and should continue down the same path that they were on. They did not need to hear the latest news from Ephesus. They did not need to hear a message that would simply tingle their ears in their unregenerate state. They needed to hear the Gospel.
Paul desired to tell them of the great and awesome God Who created the heavens and the earth. He desired to inform them that this God is the only God and the true God. He was on a mission to share the truth that this God is also a just and righteous Judge that must punish sin.
Paul was not a man to shy away from telling people of their sin. He knew that it is only through recognition of sin that man realizes his need for a Savior. He was willing and ready to invite people into the saving message of Jesus Christ. Even though men are great sinners and deserving of eternal punishment, Jesus came to bear the sins of many.
Paul was entering Troas with full intent to call the people to repentance and faith in this message.
God opened a door for Paul to preach
Not only did Paul enter Troas, but it was clearly the Lord’s will for him to be there. God had prepared the way and the soil of the people’s hearts. The fields were ripe for harvest. Scripture says, “…a door was opened unto me of the Lord” (2 Cor. 2:12). So Paul had a strong desire to be in Troas to share the Gospel, and the Lord had providentially paved the way for him to be there.
Troas was known as a favored Roman colony, and the streets would have been packed with people who knew nothing of Christ. In a sense, it was uncharted territory. How exciting this would have been for Paul. Even more exciting is the fact that God’s favor rested upon Paul. This can be known by the fact that Paul said, “a door was opened unto me of the Lord.” This specifically means that Paul’s journey to Troas and his ministry in Troas would have been blessed by God.
Paul’s missionary endeavor was blessed in a similar fashion as that of Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls. Concerning Nehemiah, the Scripture says, “And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me” (Neh. 2:8). God’s hand was upon Nehemiah, and God’s hand was upon Paul as well.
Circumstances hindered Paul’s preaching
Despite Paul’s desire to preach the Good News and the fact that his trip to Troas was a favorable one, an event arose that crushed Paul. Scripture says, “I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence to Macedonia” (2 Cor. 2:13). What is clear is that Paul also had plans of a rendezvous with Titus. Titus was one of Paul’s faithful companions in the Gospel.
It is possible, and most likely, that Titus was on his way to meet with Paul from Corinth. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 8:23 that Titus was a minister to the Corinthian church. It is also bears significance that Paul mentions Titus to the Corinthian church in this letter to the Corinthians.
What is also possible is that Titus may have been carrying a sum of money that he had collected from the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:3). This was something that would have made Titus’ journey even more dangerous than before. Along the way, Titus could have been beaten and left for dead like the character in the “Good Samaritan.” Paul was concerned, it crushed him, and his lips fell silent.
Paul moved forward, and God used him mightily
Paul was, in a sense, a defeated man. He was beaten down when he did not see Titus. The emotion overwhelmed him. He could imagine nothing else other than seeking out his brother in Christ. Scripture says, “…taking my leave of them, I went from thence to Macedonia” (2 Cor. 2:13). So Paul took his leave. He went out to search for Titus. The Bible says that he went to Macedonia.
Three options lay in front of the Apostle Paul. First, Paul could have waited in Troas. Second, Paul could have traveled by boat to Corinth, as only the Aegean Sea separated Troas from Corinth. Third, Paul could have started walking toward Corinth. Paul chose the latter. Macedonia was directly in the middle of a traveler’s path between Corinth and Troas. He most likely was hoping to find Titus along the way.
But there is a message within this message that the people of God need to hear. Yes, Paul had the favor of God on him to share the Gospel. Yes, Paul was silenced as his spirit was crushed. Yes, Paul missed out on the opportunity that was presented to him. But would God still use Paul? Was there still enough grace for this crushed man to return to Troas?
For starters, 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 tells of Paul’s time as he entered Macedonia. He tells of the way that he was crushed when he entered Macedonia. He tells of the way that his body could find no rest. He felt afflicted everywhere he turned, and he was fearful. That’s right, the man Paul felt scared. He was downcast and felt low. What a telling sequence in Paul’s life that he invites his readers into. But the Scripture says, “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Cor. 7:6). What joy must have filled Paul’s heart as he saw Titus.
But would there still be hope for his ministry to those in Troas? The Bible tells us of Paul’s next visit to Troas in Acts 20:5-11. In this portion of Scripture, we can see Paul gathering with a large number of people in an upper room and sharing the Good News with them until midnight.
Application
God still used Paul, and He can still use you, too. Do not focus on missed opportunities, but press on toward the prize. God is faithful.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the ways that You used Paul. I thank You for the ways that You can and will use me, too. Help me to look to Christ anew this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.